Multihomed TCP/IP Windows NT Systems Give Duplicate Name on Network Error (198644)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
This article was previously published under Q198644

SYMPTOMS

Duplicate Name on Network message appears in event log.

CAUSE

Multihomed Windows NT Server computer may not have WINS servers (primary and secondary) expressed on first or second network interface card (NIC).

RESOLUTION

The error message in not generated by Windows NT Server itself. It originates on the environment's WINS server, which now contains a database entry of <UNIQUE> for that server. This indicates that the server is registered with WINS and that WINS believes it is a single NIC system, and is, therefore, reporting this as a duplicate name on the network.

To resolve the conflict, add primary and secondary WINS addresses to the second NIC (these should be the same WINS addresses that are listed on the initial NIC), and then restart the system. This will force a reregistration of the system with WINS and the registration will change from UNIQUE to GROUP, and will be labeled Multihomed. The error message will cease.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/9/2002
Keywords:kbprb KB198644
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.